Weft feeler device for looms



c. A. CARL-SON.

WEFT FEELER DEVICE FOR LOOMS. -APPLlCATl0N FILED MAY 21'} 1919.

Patented Sept 12, 1922;

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

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C. A. CARLSON.

WEFT FEELER DEVICE FOR LOOMS.

APPLICATION mm MAY 27. 1919.

1,429,126, 2 PatentedSept.12,.1922

2 SHEETSSHEET 2.

ll lill Tmluluuu lllllu lulll mmm III! m :1 1m mun um ml H lilqzvez zzors v Patented Sept. 12, 1922.

v Y a m MENTS, .To THE STAFFORD COMPANY, or EEADviI' -E, BosToiv, MAssAci Us T s;

' .A. CORPORATION OF MASSACHUSETTS.

- wEE ELEB, DEVICE on Looms. v i

Application filed May 27,

To all who in it mag concern.

Be it known that I, CARL A. CARLsoN, a. Citizen of the United States, residing at' Everett, in the county of Middlesex, State of Massachusetts, have invented a certain new. and useful Improvement in Weft Feeler Devicesfor Looms, of which the following is a. specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawings.

The invention is an improvement in, depletion-detecting and indicating devices, commonly termed weft or filling-feelers, such as are employed in the processfof weaving for the purpose of detecting the arrival of a predetermined stage in 'thelprogressive depletion of the shuttle-contained supply of weft or filling, and thereupon indicating or calling a change in the working of the 10 m prior to complete exhaustion of the said supply, the change indicated or called involving in some cases automatic Weft-replenishment; in other cases, stoppage of the loom.

The invention has relation to side-slipping or side-swiping feelers, i. e., theclass of depletion-indicating or Weft-feeler devices having a feeler-member which is heldfrom movement longitudinally of'the shuttlecontain'ed filling-carrier through engagement of the shuttle-contained mass of weft or filling with its feeling end, so long as a safe amount of weft or fill.ingremains upon the filling-carrier, and which is caused to shift in the said direction when the remainder, of

weft or fil lingis not sufiicient'to hold itfrom slipping, in order that thereby the feelerdevices may become operative to call the predetermined change. More particularly, it is an improvement in feeler-devices of such class of the type in which the displacement of the feeler-memberlongitudinally of the shuttle is caused by pressure against its feeling end.

for the displacementofthe feeler-member longitudinally of the shuttle when theshutfie-contained supply Ofweft or filling becomes substantially depleted.

Briefly stated, the more characteristic feature of invention consists inthe combination 7 with a feeler-member that is adapted to shift ,sidewise in a horizontal plane lengthwise of the shuttle-contained filling-carrier, of deflector-meaiis movable forward and rearward i919. seriaIimIeoopee. l I

' in unison withsaid :feel'er-member'iso as the latter is held from lateral movement;

and acting to occasionsaid lateral movement when the amount of weftor filling remaining in the shuttle "is not suffi'cient to i hold the feeler-member from such movement.

The invention finds its preferred embodil mentjin a feeler-device' comprisinga laterally-mov'able feeler-member; a deflector.- member, .both of which are movable forward and rearward in uni-son, they'respectively havingsurfaces whichare-kept in contactwith each other by springtension; one or both off said surfaces beveled or;.- iiiclined laterally, means for opposing forward move ment' of said deflector-member, and controller dcvices through which a change infthe operation of a loom is called asai'esult of lateral deflection, of] thelaterally-movable feeler member.

that so long as the wee or filling thatis pressed agalnst the tipof the feeler-n 'emb'er 1 in a feelingaction holds the feelermemben from movement longitudinally of thefshuttle i other, but when the amount of'weft or'filll 'ingfupon the filling-carrier is; not si'ifiicient" to hold the feeler mem'ber against tendency to'lateral deflectiony-its. surface *slipsyalon The principle of the mode of operation of this fo'rmloffembodiment.is

.that of the deflector-membeif and'the bevel or incline produces movement of the feelen;

member longitudinally of the shuttle, so that I the feeler-mechaiiism' is rendered operative .Fig; 1- 0i uieqdrew iigs i5 plan view "6i feeler-devices embodying the inventiomcombined with coiitroller-iIwC -lanism", and portions of a loom; inclu'dinga shuttle con i Fig. Q isan end elevation of the, feelerstage of .Fig. 4 is .a like-view illustrating-the action ber.

' taining a bobbin loaded with weft or filling. I The invention provides. in novel manner i v I i to l the predetermined result inythe Work I g. f the 100110. l i, i r

I when the depleted.stateofthe weft or 'filling leads to side-slipping of the 'feeler 'inem Referring to the illustrated embodiment of the invent-ion:

At 1 is the feeler-Inember, it having its tip 1 serrated as usual in feeler-devices of the side-slipping type. The forward portion of its stein 1 occupies loosely guide constituted by a hole in a portion 2 of the stand 2, and slides through said hole as the feeleranember reciprocates lengthwise, the loose fit of the stem within the hole rendering the feeler-member able to swing transversely the rear of said guideportionil when the tip 1 slips side'wise upon the shuttle-contained weft-carrier 10 in a feeling-action as in Fig. i. The-transverselyswinging feelenmember is supported at the rear of portion '2 of the. stand by a guide constituted by the top surface of a transverse portion 2" of the stand, and is adapted to slide thereon forward and rearward as well as sidewise.

At 3 is a slide which is fitted to guides at P, t", in connection with stand 2, in which it is adapted to move lengthwise toward and from the lay, its stein being surrounded by an expanding spiral spring 5 confined between the guide 4 and a shoulder 3 that is formed at the point where the said stem joins the body-portion of thedeflector-memher, and said spring tending to keep the slide 3 in its rearward position, which latter is determined by contact of its stops 3*, 3*, with the front of guide r The slide 3 is IOI'IDBCl at the side thereof next the feeler-member with a beveled surface a that inclines forwardly, and the feeler-member is formed at the side thereof next the slide 3 with a counterpart or reverse beveled surface 6. These two beveled surfaces are kept pressed together by springtension, the latter being applied by means of an expanding spiral spring (5 encircling a transverse rod 7 which is connected with the feeler-member by a pivot at 8. The rod 7 extends transversely outward fromthe feeler-member through a hole in the slide 3, the spring 6 being confined between the outer side of theslide 3 and a head or collar 9 1 upon the outer end of the rod.

In operation, so long as there remains upon the weft or fill1ng-carr1er l0 occupying the shuttle 11 upon the lay 12 a SllffiClGIll? quantity ofweft or filling to hold the feelermember from moving sidewise, longitudinally of the shuttle, at the time of a feeling action (see Fig. 3), the feeler-member 1s pushedstraight forward by the pressure of the -fillingunass against its tip, and it drives the slide 8 forward also, overcoming the resistance of spring 5. In this action, the side lug l projecting inwardly from the feeler-member passes forward alongside the slide bar 10, without changing the position of said slide-bar. When, however, in a feelingaction the feeler-member is caused to slip sidewise as in Fig. i, the sidewise movement thereof carries the side-lug 1 thereof into position to engage with the slide-bar 10, so that as the laterally-shifted feelenmemher 3 goes forward it takes the slide-bar 10 with it. The slide-bar 10 is arranged to move longitudinally within holes in the portions 2 2 of the stand 2. 1n the rearward position of the said slide-bar, a block 10 thereon supports the arm 11 of the controller, as in Fig. 3. When the slide-bar is driven forward in the manner shown by F 4, this block is moved out from under the arm 11 so that the controller is free to turn to call a change in.the working of the loom in connection with which the feeler-device is employed. The controller and theparts which it controls are as usual. in the present instance the controller and its connections are such as are in general use for calling or bringing about automatic replenishment of filling. [in expanding spiral spring 12, confined between the portion 2 of stand 2 and a collar 10 upon slidebar 10 returns the slidebar rearwardly to its normal position shown in 1 and 3, the rearward movement being limited by contact of a stop-nut 10, that is carried by the front end of the slide-bar, with the front side of guide-pen tion 2*. v

lihat 1 claim is r 1. A weft or lilling-feeler for looms, comprising a laterally-movable feeler-ineinher, a deflector-member, both thereof movable forward and rearward in unison, they respectively having surfaces which are kept in contact with each other by spring-tension and one or both of said surfaces beveled or inclined laterally, means for opposing forward movement of said deflector-member,

and controller-devices through which a change in the operation of a loom is called as a result of lateral deflection of the laterally-movable feeler-member. I

2. In weft or filling feeler-devices of the side-slipping class, the combination with a feeler-member that is adapted to shift sidewise in a horizontal plane lengthwise of the shutllecontained filling-carrier, and a controller through which the change is called as a result of transverse shift of the feelermember in a feeling action, of a yielding deflector movable forward and rearward in company with the feeler-inember which tends to deflect the feeler-member sidewise by cam-action and which effects the said shift when the weft or filling remaining on the shuttle-contained filling-carrier is no longer sufficient to hold the feeler-member from slipping sidewise along the filling-carmen 3. A weft or filling-feeler for looms comprising, in combination, a feeler-member 1 having a beveled surface and an engaging lug or projection, guides permitting longitudinal and side-slipping movements of said feeler-member, a spring-actuated slide having a beveled surface coacting with the said surface of the feeler-member, a spring operating to press the feeler-membertoward by engagement of the feeler withthe filling until substantial exhaustion thereof, and

means connected to the feeler for effecting replenishment of filling;

5. In a feeler mechanism for vlooms, the combination of a feeler' which is mounted for movement toward the frontjof the loom on each detecting beat regardless of the amount of fillingin the shuttle,adeflector, means for independently supporting the de- Hector and feeler, intercngaging inclinedparts between the feeler and deflector which tend to effect movement of'th'e feeler longitudinally along the filling carrier-on each detecting beat and which are prevented from effecting such movement of the feeler by engagement o'f'the feeler with the filling on each detecting beat'until substantial exhaustion of the filling. I I

6. In a feeler mechanism for looms, the combination of a fee-ler mounted-for frontward and lateral movements,- a deflector mounted for frontward movement and havi'ng a laterally ll'lCllIlGCl'POItlOITWlIlCli crosses H a portion of the fee'ler when the latter is in normal position, and a part carried by the feeler Which bears upon said inclined portion ofthe deflectoras the feeler is pushed frontwardly'on a'detecting beat and-which tends to impart lateral movement to the feeler and effect such lateral movement when the filling is substantially exhausted on a detecting beat.- I I 7. In a feeler-mechanism for looms, the combination of a feeler which is mounted for movement toward and from the front of the loom oneach detecting beat regardless of the amount of filling on the-filling carrier in the shuttle, a deflector," 'interengaging cam portions on the feeler anddeflector which, undenthe frontward pressure on a detecting beat, tendto cause the feeler to move along the filling carrier to effect relenishmentof filling, but are prevented rom effecting such movement until the filling is substantially exhausted. and means for effecting replenishment of filling when the deflector succeeds in'moving the 'feeler along the filling carrier.

v. 78., In 'af'eeler mechanism for loomsfthe combination of av feeler wliichyi's mounted for movement toward and fronrthe front'of the loom on each detecting'beatregardless of the amountvof filling on the filling carrierin the shuttle, a deflector, interengaging cam portions on the feeler and deflectorwhich,

under the f'rontward pressure on a detecting beat, tend to cause the feeler'to'movealong the filling carrierfto effect replenishment of filhng, but are prevented fromeffecting such movement until the filling is substantially exhausted, means for limiting the amplitude" of movement effected by the cam*portions,

and means for effecting replenishment of filling when the deflector succeeds in moving the feeler'along thefilling carrier.

9. In a-"feeler mechanism for looms, a' feeler mounted for movement toward and from the front of theloomand inadirection longitudinally of the shuttle but held from" such longitudinal movement by engagement with the-filling on a detecting beat until sub- ,stantial exhaustion thereof, a com'panion member mounted for movement toward' and from the -front of the loom, acooperating]:

cam and recess-, one-on the feeler and the other on the companion'member for causing frontward movement of the feeler'to move the said member frontwardly without rela-g tivesfrontward' movement of the two when a working supply of fillingis present ona de tecting beat and for causing the feel'er to move laterally from the companion member when filling is substantially exhaustfeeler away from the 1 companion: member,

and'yielding means tending to holdthe cam.

and recess in engagement;

10; In a feeler mechanism for looms, the combination of a feeler, a compan1onm ember yieldingly held in rearward position and v 3 extending alongside the 'feeler, engaged inclines on the feeler and companion membered, means forlimiting the movement ofthe IQS for'moving-thefeeler away-from the said memberand in a direction longitudinally of I the shuttle by the frontward push upon the feeleron a detecting beatandyhelfd from effecting such movement by engagement of the feeler with the .filling iuntil substantial said member, and: meanslfo r'"replenishing 1y of the shuttle.

exhaustion thereof, means extending-between ithe 'feeler' and companionmember :to. limit the-movement of the feeler away'cfrorni the 11.20

filling when-the feeler'is' moved longitudinal- 11. In a feeler mechanismfoit looms, the

combination of a feeler, a companion member extending alongside the ,feeler, a spring acting" rearwardly upon sald; member, in

"clines on 'the-feeler and companion. member which cause. the. two to be moved frontwardly inunisonby the push against-the. feeler on a detecting beat when a working supply of filling is present and which cause movement of the feeler relative to the companion member in a direction longitudinally of the shuttle by the frontward push upon the feeler when the filling is substantially exhausted, and a member moved by the feeler when filling is substantially exhausted to efi'ectreplenishment of filling.

12; In a feeler mechanism for looms, the combination of a feeler, a companion member extending alongside the feeler, cam connections between the feeler and companion member, yielding means for holding the cam connections in engagement. and a single spring acting upon the said member for holding both the latter and the feeler in rearward position. i

13. In a feeler mechanism for looms, the combination of a filling engaging feeler mounted for movement toward and from the front of the loom and longitudinally of the shuttle, a companion member mounted for movement toward and from the front of the loom and extending in the general direction in which it moves substantially parallel with the feeler, means for yieldingly forcing the said member rearwardly, and connections between the feeler and such member constructed and arranged to move the feeler away from the companion member in a direction longitudinally of the shuttle when the feeler is moved frontwardly by the frontward push of a surface within the shuttle and is not held from moving longitudinally of the shuttle by the filling.

14. In a feeler mechanism for looms, the combination of a feeler, a companion member extending alongside the feeler and mounted for movement toward and from the front of the loom, connections between the feeler. and said member for causing both the feeler and thecompanion member 'to'be moved frontwardly by the push upon the feeler when aworking supply of filling is present in the shuttle on a detecting beat and for causing movement of the feeler in a direction longitudinally of the shuttle by the frontward pushof a surface within the shuttle when the filling is substantially exhausted, and a spring for holding the connections in yielding engagement.

15. In a feeler mechanism for looms, a feeler guide mounted for movement toward and from the front of the loom, a feeler lying alongside the feeler guide, and mounted for movement toward and from the front of the loom and in a direction longitudinally of the shuttle but held from such longitudinal movement by engagement with the filling on a detecting beat until substantial ex haustion thereof, a cooperating cam and recess, one on the feeler and the other on the feeler guide for causing frontward movement of the feeler to move-the guide frontwardly without relative frontward movement of the two when a working supply of filling is present on a detecting beat and for causing the feeler to move laterally away from the feeler guide when filling is substantially exhausted, a stop for limiting the movement of the feeler away from the feeler guide and yielding means tending to hold the cam and recess in engagement.

16. In a feeler mechanism for looms, the combination of a feeler guide yieldingly held in rearward position, a feeler extending alongside the feeler guide, engaged inclines on the feeler guide and feeler for moving the latter away from the former and in a direction longitudinally of'the shuttle by the frontward push upon the, feeler on a detecting beat and held from effecting such movement by engagement of the feeler with the filling until substantial exhaustion thereof, means extendingbetween the feeler and feeler guide to limit the movement of the feeler away from the feeler guide and means for replenishing filling when the feeler is moved longitudinally of the shuttle.

17. In a feeler mechanism for looms, the combination of a feeler guide,a spring acting rearwardly upon said guide, a feeler extending alongside. the feeler guide, inclines on the feeler guide and feeler which cause the two to be moved frontwardly by the push against the feeler on a detecting beat when a working supply of filling is present and which cause movement of the feeler relativeto the feeler guide in a direc tion longitudinally of the shuttle by the frontward push upon the feeler when the filling is substantially exhausted, a member adjacent the feeler and moved by the feeler when filling is substantially exhausted to effect replenishment of filling.

18. In a feeler mechanism for looms, the combination of a feeler guide, a feeler having a portion extending alongside thefeeler guide, cam connections between the feeler guide and said port-ion, yielding means for holding the cam connections in engagement, and a single spring acting upon the feeler guide for holding both the feeler guide and feeler in rearward position.

19. In a feeler mechanism for looms, the combination of a feeler guide mounted for movement toward and from the front of the loom and extending in the general direction in which it moves, a filling engaging feeler extending substantially parallel to the feeler guide and mounted for movement toward and from the front of the loom and longitudinally of the shuttle, means for yieldingly forcing the feeler guide rearwardly, and connections between the feeler guide and feeler constructed and arranged to move the feeler away from the feeler guide in a di rection longitudinally of the shuttle when the feeler is moved frontwardly by the frontward push of a surface within the "shuttle and isnot held from moving longitudinally of the shuttle by the filling.

20. In a feeler mechanism for looms, the combination of, a feeler guide mounted for movement toward and from the front of the loom, a feeler having a portion extending alongside the feeler guide, connect-ions between the feeler guide and said feeler portion for causing both thefeeler and feeler guide to be moved frontwardly by the push upon the feeler when a working supply of filling is present in the shuttle on a detecting beat and for causing moyementof the feeler in a direction longitudinally of the shuttle is by the frontward push of a surface within the shuttle'when the filling is substantially exhausted, and a spring for holdingthe connections in yielding engagement.

In testimony whereof I'afliX my signature 20 in presence of two witnesses.

I CARL A. OARLSON. Witnesses: I l

CHAsF. RANDALL, ELLEN O. SPRfNG. 

